“Hmph, incompetent! It’s because you’re like that, that you get looked down on by the likes of Hazen. Colonel Gedol! If you leave everything to me, I will arrange the territory exchange negotiation with those barbarian dogs.”
“……How many days can you do it in?”
“Give me three days, and without fail.”
Major Simanto answered confidently.
“Understood. I leave it all to you. Make absolutely sure not to use him or anyone under his influence.”
“Understood! Without fail.”
“Sorry about this. If this matter succeeds, I will recommend you for the next Lieutenant Colonel position.”
“R-Really!?”
“Of course. For the time being, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneck is under house arrest, so I need you to handle his duties as well. It’s a heavy burden, but I’m counting on you.”
“……Y-Yes!”
Major Simanto replied, his voice trembling with emotion.
“Captain Lorenzo. You are under house arrest. It seems your reflection is insufficient.”
“……Yes, sir.”
Captain Lorenzo bowed expressionlessly and exited the room.
Walking down the hallway toward his own quarters, he found Hazen standing in front of his door.
“What is it?”
“My, it’s tough, isn’t it? An incompetent superior is more troublesome than an enemy.”
“……Did you hear?”
“No. But, that is the case, isn’t it?”
“Haa… It’s bad if I’m seen with you here. Let’s go into my room.”
Captain Lorenzo sighed deeply, and the two entered his room.
“I’ve been put under house arrest too. It’s risky if I’m seen with you, so don’t come here.”
“Understood.”
“The territory exchange proposal with the Kumin Tribe. Was it really okay not to bring up your name?”
“If my name came up, there is a possibility they wouldn’t accept it. Judging by how it went, I’m relieved they bit onto the idea firmly.”
“……They are trying to cut you out, you know?”
“Let them. If they can do it, anyone is fine. That is a superior’s prerogative.”
“Is there a reason they can’t do it?”
“I cannot say.”
“Why?”
“Because you are an excellent Imperial soldier.”
“……”
Captain Lorenzo was struck by a strange emotion. Hazen spoke as if he were a teacher on the verge of retirement praising a student. But that was impossible. This man was more than ten years his junior.
“Hypothetically, if I were to tell you, you would try to make the best judgment and take action for the Empire. That might jeopardize your position.”
“It is a natural duty for an Imperial soldier to act for the Empire.”
“Of course. However, the optimal solution you envision for the Empire and my optimal solution are different.”
“……So you are saying I am incompetent as well.”
“No. You have a tendency to always try to sacrifice yourself. For me, that is very troubling.”
“……Doesn’t that mean I’m incompetent after all?”
“That’s not it. You are just honest.”
“……”
Captain Lorenzo felt a strange sensation. But he warned himself to be cautious of this compliment. Even in the future, he had to apply a certain filter to this man’s words. In a sense, he was a monster far more unnerving than Colonel Gedol or Major Simanto.
“Well, fine. Just make sure to refrain from stomach-churning behavior while under house arrest.”
“Understood. However, I do not know if that will cure your stomach.”
“……Phew.”
Hearing that remark, Lorenzo realized it was probably hopeless.
The next day, Major Simanto summoned Lieutenant Kozalt of the 3rd Battalion to his room. Since all the Captain-rank officers had been killed in the previous battle, the Lieutenants were currently carrying out Captain-level duties.
Major Simanto slapped him on the shoulder refreshingly, overly familiarly.
“Oh, glad you came. I want you to manage the discussions with the Kumin Tribe.”
“……Huh?”
“Did you not hear me?”
“N-No. It’s just, the content is a bit…”
“Well, it is a Captain’s job, so it’s no wonder, but we are short on personnel right now, so do your best.”
“B-But. Um, interactions with the Kumin Tribe are entirely managed by Lieutenant Hazen—”
“Do not speak that man’s name!”
Major Simanto slammed his hand on the desk, flying into a rage.
“Hii… My apologies.”
“Listen to me! That man! Boldly! Spoke disrespectful words to His Imperial Majesty! There is no way we can entrust important duties to someone destined for capital punishment foreverrr!”
“I-I see.”
“Anyway, in three days. By then, make the arrangements so we can negotiate with the barbarian dogs.”
“Thr…”
“Ah? Did you say something?”
“……No. Understood.”
Lieutenant Kozalt left the room, looking unconfident.
“Good grief. What is it with them? It’s such a simple thing.”
It wasn’t as if they were going to war. Just holding a single meeting, yet everyone was making such a huge deal out of it, Major Simanto sighed.
However, the next day. Lieutenant Kozalt arrived looking depressed.
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“Um, I apologize, but I don’t think I can do it.”
“……Ah?”
Major Simanto brought his face violently close and threatened him.
“Hii… I tried to request Private Edal of the 4th Company to translate, but—”
“You bastard! Isn’t that guy that man’s subordinate!?”
“B-But. Without an interpreter, we cannot negotiate.”
“Tch… So?”
“Private Edal was on an espionage mission in the Diode Duchy and was not at this fortress.”
“Haa!?”
“Um… so, as a realistic plan, I think we have no choice but to ask Lieutenant Hazen.”
“D-Don’t screw with me! Tell that guy to [Return immediately]!”
“Th-That is… the earliest that guy can return seems to be in two months.”
“Don’t screw with me!?”
“Hii… H-However, Private Edal’s espionage destination is Macania, the capital of the Diode Duchy. He is deep undercover and we don’t know his location, so I think it will take at least that long no matter how you look at it.”
“Then bring me an alternative! Use your own brain and think a little!”
“U-Understood.”
Lieutenant Kozalt retreated sheepishly.
“Piece of shit! Incompetent!”
Major Simanto spat the words out and kicked his chair.
And then, the next day. Lieutenant Kozalt returned again.
“How is it? Of course, you have a good report, right?”
“Um, well… I thought about asking a merchant named Nandal, who has interactions with the Kumin Tribe, to interpret, but—”
“Be concise! Just! Tell! Me! The! Resuuult!”
“It was impossible! I am sorry!”
Lieutenant Kozalt bowed deeply, looking like he was about to cry.
“Wh-Why!? How come!? Why is that!?”
“Um… He is also currently in the Sargaha District in the eastern part of the Empire, and they say it will take three months—”
“Kuh… You just line up reasons why you can’t… Think of a way you can!”
“……I apologize. I thought about many things, but I think letting Lieutenant Hazen do it is the best way. It is beyond my control.”
“Enough! Bring every Lieutenant-rank officer other than that man here!”
“Y-Yes!”
Thirty minutes later, every Lieutenant except Hazen was gathered in the room.
“Anyone is fine! Listen, by tomorrow! By to-mor-rowww! Set up a meeting with the Kumin Tribe! Of course, without borrowing the power of that man… Lieutenant Hazen! Listen, this is a historic meeting! If you succeed, I will promote you to Captain immediately!”
“……”
“Where is your answer!? Do! You! Under! Stand!?”
“Y-Yes.”
Everyone replied weakly.
And then, the next day.
“So! The arrangements are made, aren’t they!?”
“……”
“Ah? You bastards, all gathered here and you can’t even do that? Are you a collection of incompetents!? Say something!”
“……”
Everyone maintained silence.
“By tomorrow! I’ll give you a grace period until tomorrow! Listen, this is absolute! Do it no matter what!”
“……It’s impossible.”
Lieutenant Labanon muttered quietly.
“……Gh.”
Major Simanto’s eyes instinctively flew wide open. A Lieutenant. A lowly Lieutenant, of all things. Had dared to talk back to him, a Major.
“……”
No, perhaps he misheard. Maybe the stress of the recent heavy workload caused an auditory hallucination. First, he doubted his own ears. Major Simanto calmed down and asked again.
“Hmm? What was that? My hearing has been bad lately. Say it—once—mooore!?”
“What can’t be done, can’t be done. Aside from Lieutenant Hazen, no one can do it.”
“……Gh.”
It was not a hallucination. It wasn’t a hallucination.
Furthermore, from another angle, Lieutenant Dagorde flew into a rage and snapped at him.
“Rather, if you have a plan, please tell us!”
“D-Do such things yourself!”
Major Simanto instantly decided on this man’s demotion. What a rude man. A mere Lieutenant talking back to a Major, a man who would soon be a Lieutenant Colonel.
But contrary to those thoughts, Lieutenant Dagorde’s counterattack did not stop.
“See, even you can’t think of one, can you, Major Simanto?”
“Sh-Shut up! I am the one who gives orders! Thinking and executing is your job!”
“Don’t be unreasonable! Everyone thought desperately!”
“E-Everyone? Are you saying all of you have such spineless answers?”
At Major Simanto’s question, everyone nodded their heads vertically.
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